UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA

A STUDY ON MECHANICAL,PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENT

PROPERTIES FOR VARIED LENGTH ON THERMOPLASTICS

CORNSTARCH COMPOSITE REINFORCED BY UNTREATED

PINEAPPLE LEAF FIBRE

This report is submitted in accordance with the requirement of the Universiti

Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) for the Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering

Technology (Automotive) with Honours.

by

MUHAMMAD IKMAL KHAZANY BIN MOHD ASRI

B071510196

950102-03-5837

FACULTY OF MECHANICAL AND MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

TECHNOLOGY

2018

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Tajuk: a study on mechanical,physical and environment properties for varied length on

thermoplastics cornstarch composite reinforced by untreated pineapple leaf fibre

Sesi Pengajian: 2019

Saya MUHAMMAD IKMAL KHAZANY BIN MOHD ASRI mengaku

membenarkan Laporan PSM ini disimpan di Perpustakaan Universiti Teknikal Malaysia

Melaka (UTeM) dengan syarat-syarat kegunaan seperti berikut:

1. Laporan PSM adalah hak milik Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka dan penulis.

2. Perpustakaan Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka dibenarkan membuat salinan

untuk tujuan pengajian sahaja dengan izin penulis.

3. Perpustakaan dibenarkan membuat salinan laporan PSM ini sebagai bahan

pertukaran antara institusi pengajian tinggi.

4. **Sila tandakan (X)

☐ SULIT* Mengandungi maklumat yang berdarjah keselamatan atau

kepentingan Malaysia sebagaimana yang termaktub dalam

UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA

BORANG PENGESAHAN STATUS LAPORAN PROJEK SARJANA MUDA

iii

AKTA RAHSIA RASMI 1972.

☐ TERHAD* Mengandungi maklumat TERHAD yang telah ditentukan oleh

organisasi/badan di mana penyelidikan dijalankan.

☒ TIDAK

TERHAD

Yang benar, Disahkan oleh penyelia:

........................................................ ....................................................

MUHAMMAD IKMAL KHAZANY BIN

MOHD ASRI NAZRI HUZAIMI BIN ZAKARIA

Alamat Tetap: Cop Rasmi Penyelia

KAMPUNG GALOK CHETOK 17060

PASIR MAS KELANTAN

Tarikh:3/12/2018 Tarikh:

*Jika Laporan PSM ini SULIT atau TERHAD, sila lampirkan surat daripada pihak

berkuasa/organisasi berkenaan dengan menyatakan sekali sebab dan tempoh laporan PSM ini

perlu dikelaskan sebagai SULIT atau TERHAD.

iv

DECLARATION

I hereby, declared this report entitled a study on mechanical,physical and environment

properties for varied length on thermoplastics cornstarch composite reinforced by

untreated pineapple leaf fibre is the results of my own research except as cited in

references.

Signature: ……………………………………

Author : MUHAMMAD IKMAL KHAZANY

BIN MOHD ASRI

Date:

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APPROVAL

This report is submitted to the Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing

Engineering Technology of Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) as a

partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Mechanical

Engineering Technology (Automotive) with Honours. The member of the

supervisory is as follow:

Signature : ……………………………………………….

Supervisor : NAZRI HUZAIMI BIN ZAKARIA

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ABSTRAK

Pada masa kini, serat semulajadi telah mendapat perhatian dari penyelidik dan

telah menjadi isu penting bagi penyelesaian alternatif dalam menggantikan serat sintetik

untuk menyelesaikan masalah ekologi dan persekitaran. Antara jenis serat semula jadi

adalah serat daun nanas (PALF) yang telah dipilih sebagai serat semulajadi yang

digunakan dalam kajian ini kerana ia mempunyai sifat mekanik yang lebih baik dan ia

juga mempunyai kos pengeluaran yang rendah. Serat daun nenas dari jenis Josapines

mempunyai kandungan selulosa yang tinggi dan mempunyai ciri-ciri mekanik yang

sangat baik. Serat daun nenas jenis Josapines akan digunakan sebagai bahan bertetulang

manakala tepung jagung sebagai pengikat. Dalam kajian ini, kesan kandungan PALF

dan panjang serat pada komposisi PALF/TPCS akan dianalisis. Lima komposisi PALF

yang berbeza ditetapkan pada 20,30, 40, 50, dan 60 wt% manakala panjang serat pula

adalah 2mm dan 10mm. Sampel komposit dibuat dengan menggunakan teknik

pengacuan kompresi dengan orientasi PALF secara rawak. Sampel akan menjalani tiga

ujian yang berbeza, iaitu ujian mekanikal, ujian fizikal dan ujian alam sekitar. Oleh itu,

hasil yang lebih tinggi untuk ujian mekanikal dari segi panjang serat ialah serat yang

mempunyai panjang 10mm. Kekuatan tegangan pada beban serat 40% menunjukkan

hasil yang tertinggi iaitu 10.51MPa manakala untuk hasil ujian lenturan yang tertinggi

adalah pada beban gentian 50% iaitu 15.55MPa. Akhir sekali bagi ujian impak di mana

hasil yang paling tinggi adalah pada beban gentian 20% iaitu 6.58 MPa.

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ABSTRACT

Nowadays, natural fibres have received considerable attention from researchers

and have become an important issue for alternative solutions in replacing the synthetic

fibre to solving ecological and environmental problems. Among the many types of

natural fibre available, pineapple leaf fibre (PALF) has been selected as the natural fibre

used in this study because it has a better mechanical properties and it also has a low

production cost. The PALF from the Josapines type has high cellulose content and has

excellent mechanical properties. In this study the PALF of the Josapines type will be

used as reinforced material while cornstarch is a binder. In this study, the effect of the

content of PALF and the fibre length of the composition of PALF / TPCS will be

analyzed. Five different PALF compositions are set at 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 wt.% while

the length of the fibres is 2mm and 10mm. The composite samples were fabricated by

using compression moulding techniques with PALF randomized orientations. The

sample will undergo three different tests, which are mechanical testing, physical testing

and environmental testing. The highest result of mechanical testing in term of length is

10mm fibre length. For the tensile strength at 40% fibre loading shows the highest result

which is 10.51MPa while for flexural testing the highest results at the 50% fibre loading

15.55MPa. Lastly, for impact testing higher result in the 20% fibre loading at 6.58MPa.

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DEDICATION

This project report is lovingly dedicated to my beloved family members,

especially to my father, Mohd Asri Bin Salleh and my mother, Sarimah Binti Yaacob

who have been my constant source of inspiration. They have given me the drive and

discipline to tackle any task with enthusiasm and determination. Without their loves and

support this project would not have been made possible.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. First and

foremost, highest gratitude to Allah swt for granting me the strength, resilience, and

knowledge to finish to complete the Final Year Project Report fluently and successfully.

A lot of thanks to my family for supporting me through the whole processes of my Final

Year Project. My deepest appreciation goes to my kind supervisor En Nazri Huzaimi

Bin Zakaria for his enormous support, excellent guidance, caring, patience, providing

full information and advice to finish up my report.

I would like to convey my great appreciation to Universiti Teknikal Malaysia

Melaka (UTeM) for giving me an opportunity and chances to full fill my Final Year

Project report. Besides, many thanks to committee members of Final Year Project,

technician in Fasa B, En Mohd Rizal Bin Roosli that providing helps the whole process

of this research nicely and smoothly. I am also using this opportunity to express my

warm gratitude to everyone who supported me throughout this report. Last but not least,

I would like to thank all of my friends for the knowledge sharing, their aspiring

guidance and friendly advice to the successful completion of this report.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

TABLE OF CONTENTS x

LIST OF TABLES xiv

LIST OF FIGURES xv

LIST OF APPENDICES xix

LIST OF SYMBOLS xx

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xxi

INTRODUCTION 22 CHAPTER 1

1.1 Background 22

1.2 Problem Statement 24

1.3 Objectives 25

1.4 Scope 25

LITERATURE REVIEW 26 CHAPTER 2

2.1 Composite 26

2.2 Reinforcement 29

2.3 Natural fibre 30

2.4 Pineapple leaf fibre 39

2.5 Matrix (binder) 47

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2.6 Starch 48

2.7 Thermoplastic Cornstarch 49

2.8 Plasticizer (glycerol) 51

2.9 Fibre extraction 51

2.10 Fibre length 56

2.11 Fibre loading 58

METHODOLOGY 59 CHAPTER 3

3.1 Flowchart 59

3.2 Preparation of Pineapple Leaf Fibre (PALF) 61

3.3 Matrix Preparation 62

3.4 Mixing process 65

3.5 Compression mould 67

3.6 Hot press process 67

3.7 Sample Cutting proses 68

3.8 Mechanical testing 69

3.8.1 Tensile Test Machine 70

3.8.2 Flexural testing machine 71

3.8.3 Impact test 73

3.9 Physical testing 74

3.9.1 Density Measurement. 74

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3.9.2 Moisture content 75

3.9.3 Moisture absorption 75

3.9.4 Water absorption 76

3.10 Environment testing 77

3.10.1 Soil burial 77

3.10.2 Water solubility 78

80 CHAPTER 4

4.1 Mechanical testing 80

4.1.1 Tensile testing 80

4.1.2 Flexural testing 83

4.1.3 Impact testing 86

4.2 Physical testing 88

4.2.1 Density 88

4.2.2 Moisture content 89

4.2.3 Moisture absorption 91

4.2.4 Water absorption 94

4.3 Environment testing 96

4.3.1 Soil burial 96

4.3.2 Water solubility 99

xiii

102 CHAPTER 5

5.1 Conclusion 102

5.2 Recommendation 104

REFERENCES 105

APPENDIX 112

xiv

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE TITLE PAGE

Tabel 2. 1: Properties of pineapple leaf fibre. 43

Table 3. 1: Composition of PALF/TPCS (wt%) 65

xv

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE TITLE PAGE

Figure 2. 1: Classification of natural fibres 32

Figure 2. 3: Classifications of biocomposites 36

Figure 2. 4: The use of Natural Fibre for Automotive Composite in Austria and Germany

1996-2002 37

Figure 2. 5: Categories of Natural Fibres. 38

Figure 2. 6: Josapine pineapple. 42

Figure 2. 7: Cross – section of Large Fibre Bundle of Josapine Leaf Fibre. 42

Figure 2. 8: Various present and future applications of pineapple leaf. 45

Figure 2. 9: Production of pineapple leaf fibre. 46

Figure 2. 10: Scrapping Operations Roller. 52

Figure 2. 11: Process of Extracting using Ceramic Plate. 53

Figure 2. 12: The Kenaf Extractor Machine. 54

Figure 2. 13: Dried Process of the fibre under Solar Drying House. 54

Figure 2. 14: Manual shredding of pineapple leaf. 56

Figure 2. 15: SEM of good adhesion between fibre and matrix (10 mm in fibre length) 57

Figure 2. 16: SEM showing the fibre pull-out from matrix (2 mm in fibre length) 58

Figure 3. 1 : Flow chart proses. 60

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Figure 3. 2: Long PALF from Josaphine. 61

Figure 3. 3: Chopped PALF 62

Figure 3. 4: Cornstarch in powder form. 63

Figure 3. 5: Glycerol that added into cornstarch. 63

Figure 3. 6: Cornstarch and glycerol after mixed. 64

Figure 3. 7: TPCS wadding is refined with blender. 64

Figure 3. 8: A mixture between PALF and TPCS is put into a ball mill machine. 66

Figure 3. 9: Mixed PALF and TPCS are put into mould. 66

Figure 3. 10: The mould compress with compression moulding machine. 67

Figure 3. 11: The mould is inserted into the hot press machine. 68

Figure 3. 12: Sample after out from hot press machine. 69

Figure 3. 13: Sample after cutting process. 69

Figure 3. 14: Sample after cutting process. 69

Figure 3. 15: Instron 5690 Dual Column Testing System. 71

Figure 3. 16: Instron 4486 Universal Testing Machine (UTM). 72

Figure 3. 17: Pendulum Impact Test CEAST 9050. 73

Figure 3. 18: The Electronic Densimeter. 74

Figure 3. 19: Moisture absorption testing machine (GOTECH GT-705). 76

Figure 3. 20: Water absorption testing. 77

Figure 3. 21 : Soil burial testing. 78

Figure 3. 22 : Water solubility testing. 79

xvii

Figure 4. 1 : Graph of tensile strength (MPa) against fibre loading (wt%) for differences

fibres length. 80

Figure 4. 2: Graph of tensile modulus (MPa) against fibres loading (wt%) for differences

fibres length. 81

Figure 4. 3: Graph of flexural strength (MPa) against fibres loading (wt%) for differences

fibres length. 83

Figure 4. 4: Graph of flexural modulus (MPa) against fibres loading (wt%) for

differences fibres length. 84

Figure 4. 5: Graph of impact strength (kJ/m2) against fibres loading (wt%) for differences

fibres length. 86

Figure 4. 6: Graph of density measurement (g/cm3) against fibre loading (wt %) for

differences fibre length. 88

Figure 4. 7: Graph of moisture content (wt%) against fibre loading (wt%) for differences

fibre length. 89

Figure 4. 8: Graph of moisture absorption (%) against days for 2mm fibre length in

different fibre loading. 91

Figure 4. 9: Graph of moisture absorption (%) against days for 10mm fibre length in

different fibre loading. 91

Figure 4. 10: Graph of moisture absorption (%) against days for 60% fibre loading in

different fibre length. 92

Figure 4. 11: Graph of water absorption (%) against fibre loading (wt%) for time 0.5

hours. 94

Figure 4. 12: Graph of water absorption (%) against fibre loading (wt%) for time 2 hours.

94

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Figure 4. 13: Graph of soil solubility against fibre loading (wt%) for 2mm fibre length for

difference weeks. 96

Figure 4. 14: Graph of weight loss (%) against fibre loading (wt%) for 10mm fibre length

for difference weeks. 97

Figure 4. 15: Graph of weight loss (%) against fibre loading (wt%) for 2 weeks for

difference fibre length. 97

Figure 4. 16: Graph of weight loss (%) weight loss (%) against fibre loading (%) for 4

weeks for difference fibre length. 98

Figure 4. 17: Graph of water solubility (%) against fibre loading (%wt) in different fibre

length. 100

xix

LIST OF APPENDICES

APPENDIX TITLE PAGE

Appendix 1 : ASTM D3039 112

xx

LIST OF SYMBOLS

wt% - Weight percent

mm - Millimetre

T - Temperature

P - Pressure

xxi

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

PALF Pineapple Leaf Fibre

GF Glass Fibres

FRP Fibre-Reinforced Plastics

CO2 Carbon Dioxide

SH Starch

TPCS Thermoplastic Corn-Starch

NaOH Sodium Hydroxide

LDPE Low density polyethylene composite

RH Relative humidity

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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

Composites are an idea of the combination of two or more natural resource

materials basically made up of two materials that are fibre and matrix. Composites also

are the combined result of more than one ingredient that will produce new material and

the properties of the substance also increase from the original individual component.

This combination will give unique properties, especially in mechanical properties where

thus properties are different from their each material. As an example of natural

composites growing with natural processes are bone, wood, and stone. The leaf

themselves comprises natural fibres with good mechanical properties, strong,

lightweight, biodegradable and cheaper to be used to create new composite materials.

Based on all the natural fibres that exist, pineapple leaf fibre can produce good

mechanical properties because it has high cellulose content (Mashitah, 2015).

The fibre function is used to reinforce the material and prevent it from being

fragile. Fibre can be obtained from the extraction of natural fibres from various sources

such as banana leaf, pineapple leaf, kenaf, bamboo and coconut. The matrix serves as a

binder to hold the fibre in the composite. The source of the matrix can be obtained from

starch, carbon, animal fats and other materials. With this combination will give a unique

characteristic in mechanical properties where its properties is differ from each of its

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ingredients. Ever since then humans have done an innovation where using composite

materials to upgrade their lives. For example, combining mud with hay to obtain better

bricks in terms of mechanical properties. In this case the mud would act as a binder for

holding hay and this will increase the strength of the material (Mashitah, 2015).

Nowadays, natural fibres or natural composites have high potential to replace

the fibreglass composite and they are also widely used as polymer composite

reinforcement. Among the causes of it being chosen as the replacement of glass fibre

reinforced composites is low cost, low density and has good mechanical properties

compared to glass fibre reinforced composites. In addition, there are many benefits that

can be obtained from natural fibres. For example, its benefits to the technology and the

environment when it is widely used in inorganic composites because of natural fibres

having high strength and good stiffness quality despite its low density. Natural fibre

composites have been widely used by many industries today as one of the materials

used in their production (Mashitah, 2015).

For example, bamboo fibres have been used worldwide by the automotive

company mitshubishi to produce car interior. In addition, natural fibres use lower

energy during production based on previous studies, so it provides a positive impact

such as lower abrasion on the machine and there is no human health risk especially

during inhalation. Besides, it is more environmentally friendly because it is

biodegradable and contains less carbon dioxide. Other than that, the natural fibre

strength will also increase if undergoing chemical treatment and it also has good

thermal permeability based on previous studies (Mashitah,2015).

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1.2 Problem Statement

Recently, scientific research has been conducted on natural plant fibres as a

potential alternative source of fibres in fibre-reinforced plastics. Natural fibres have the

potential to replace synthetic fibres because synthetic fibres will damage the

environment and it is also non-renewable in turn creating severe pollution of the soil. In

addition, synthetic fibre is not biodegradable and is not environmentally friendly,

although it has good mechanical properties. In addition, natural fibres have many

advantages as they can be recycled, widely available, biodegradable, renewable, they

are also made of neutral carbon dioxide (CO2) and most importantly, it does not have

health risks when inhaled during the process. In Malaysia pineapple is also a focus for

the industry, but only on its fruit. This causes the unused pineapple portion to be

removed and burned as soon as possible. By doing so, it will add further pollution to the

environment. The pineapple leaf which has been removed and burned actually has good

fibre sources and can be used in industrial use.

Among the various plant fibres, fibre with high cellulose content is the

pineapple leaf fibre (PALF) obtained from the Josapine pineapple leaf. PALF has

shown excellent mechanical properties and is highly potential to be used as

reinforcement in polymer composites because it contains rich cellulose content of more

than 70%. As a result of a combination of pineapple leaf fibre used as a reinforcing

material and starch based composites as a matrix material, has produced a highly

productive PALF composite for plastic industrial products because of its good

mechanical properties.